GILGIT: The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has urged authorities to launch an immediate search and rescue operation to locate around 10 climbers feared missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak.
The avalanche hit a group of mountaineers on Thursday afternoon, with contact lost for several hours. Among those feared missing are renowned Nepali climber Nims Dai and Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi from Hunza.
The ACP said it is in continuous contact with government authorities and relevant departments to mobilise helicopters and other rescue resources. Weather and operational conditions are being assessed to facilitate the operation as soon as possible.
Sources at Broad Peak Base Camp have also called for an urgent helicopter rescue mission, stressing the need to locate the climbers at the earliest possible opportunity.
Broad Peak, standing at 8,047 metres, is the world’s 12th-highest mountain and lies in the Karakoram range near K2. The peak is considered one of the most challenging mountaineering destinations in the world.
